Double Take by Brenda Joyce

away.
    “Where is Marni? Where’s Elizabeth?”
    “Marni is in bed. It’s her bedtime.” Sam gave her a look. “What planet did you come from? And how come you’re not wearing lipstick? Where are your high heels?”
    Kait stepped forward, but she was aware of flushing. This was not the first time Lana’s family had remarked on the little details that differentiated Kait’s style from her sister’s. Kait knew she was really tired, and she resolved to be more stringent with herself tomorrow. “That’s enough. Your rudeness is uncalled for. I may not be the best stepmother in the world, but maybe it’s time to start over—maybe it’s time I had another chance.”
    “Yeah, right.” Sam turned away.
    “I want a second chance, Sam.”
    Sam didn’t answer.
    Kait stared at her narrow shoulders, and then walked out, closing the door behind her. A moment later she heard the television blasting. She shuddered. Developing a relationship with Sam would be a difficult task, oh yes. But it was something she realized she wanted to do—that she had to do.
    Fear pierced through her. She forced it away.
    Farther down the hall, a bedroom door was open. Kait went to it, and saw Elizabeth seated at the foot of a small bed, Marni tucked up under the covers. They both saw Kait at once.
    “Mommy! Where have you been?” Marni cried, tears streaking her face.
    Kait rushed forward, horrified that her disappearance had caused Marni’s distress. “Honey, I feel asleep outside in the grass,” she said, taking her into her arms.
    She heard Elizabeth snort, as if in disbelief.
    “I thought you left, back to the city,” Marni cried, near fresh tears.
    “I would never leave without telling you,” Kait soothed, stroking her long, curly hair.
    Marni looked deeply into her eyes.
    “I mean it. I love you, and I would never do such a thing.”
    Marni began to smile. “We had such a fun day,” she whispered.
    “I know. But we’ll have lots more fun days, just like today,” Kait said. And the moment the words were out, she froze.
    This child thought she was her mother. Yet she also knew she wasn’t Lana. What would happen when they tried to explain the truth to Marni? Just how on earth could they explain what they had done? And how would Marni react? And if Trev Coleman was furious with her, Kait, for this pretense, just how many more days did she have to spend with her niece?
    The realization that when Lana came home there probably wouldn’t be a fairy-tale ending to their deception was like a blow between the eyes.
    Real nausea accompanied it.
    Kait had finally found the family and home she had longed for ever since her mother had died when she was a child. She couldn’t lose it all now. The concept was unbearable.
    “Mommy?”
    Kait forced a smile. She let her hand slide down to the child’s nape. “Tomorrow will be a fun day,” she said, and she was aghast, because her tone was as thick as her heart was sick.
    Marni smiled and settled down in her bed. Kait tucked the covers around her. “I’ll come and check on you later,” she whispered, kissing her soft cheek.
    Marni nodded, her eyes already closed.
    Outside in the hall, Elizabeth confronted her. “I don’t like this,” she snapped.
    Kait couldn’t take much more—it had been an endless day. “You’re up to something, and whatever it is, it can’t be good. But I won’t stand by and watch you hurt that child,” she continued. “Do you think he’ll change his mind if you become a real mother now?” she demanded.
    “Have you made supper?” Kait asked calmly.
    Elizabeth started. “I assumed you’d eat the tuna you did not have for lunch. I am going to bed. Good night.” She marched up the hall and went up the stairs.
    Kait sagged against the wall. Is that what Elizabeth thought? That she was using Marni in order to change Trev’s mind about the divorce?
Oh, God!
What if she were making a bad situation worse?
    But Lana’s life was in danger, and so was